Who Are You?

Leslie: “I also secretly want to complete a full [Ironman], I am thinking Cozumel November 2012. I will be 40.”

Dawn: “We are training with Team in Training and raising money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society…I had Hodgkins Lymphoma 6 years ago…Today I am cancer free.” (SBM Note: HOLLA, Dawn. So glad)

Jennifer: “I am a lawyer too. Contrary to popular belief, most lawyers are okay people…I turned down Harvard law because, well, they didn’t have Duke basketball… I won first place in the Athena division of last year’s Tri Rock Sprint in Rockwall, TX, much to my surprise. Clearly, the 150 pound Athenas had somewhere else to be that day. But the slab of rock I got for a trophy is pretty sweet.”

Kathy: “I am married to a wonderful guy for 28 yrs, we have a 20 yr old son who has a disability,and 2 dogs… I fell in LOVE with Triathlons. I always feel at peace during a Tri, more than I do at any other race.”

Holly: “My favorite beer is also Stella Artois, and I love margaritas. Maybe someday I’ll share them with you folks. My father was an attorney, three of my uncles are attorneys, and I met my husband just after he finished law school. I found [SwimBikeMom] earlier in the year right after I started writing my own…..Her goals inspire me to believe in myself (so basically she’s free therapy).” (SBM note: Thanks, Holly. You guys are my therapy*).

Bonnie: “Currently I am a stay-at-home wife (with kids) I say “wife” instead of “mother” because I want my marriage to always be the primary family relationship…. I am passionate about positive birth experiences for women and I plan on having a homebirth in November with my third child….I would love to hear “Bonnie-you are an Ironman” (even if my time is 16:59:59).” (SBM note: 2013, baby!)

Amanda: My son has cystic fibrosis and was born with a congenital heart defect… A guy once walked up to me at a gas station to tell me I have great legs…I like to read, but haven’t finished more than 3 books since my son was born.”

Part of what draws me to social media is the six degrees of separation theory. Because while I am most likely related to Kevin Bacon like the rest of us (case in point: my best friend from college, Whitney, has a cousin Elizabeth who lives in Savannah, who I know through Whitney. Well, I started this blog, and I find a blog friend named Sara who lives in California. She and I chitter chatter… Only to find out that she is Facebook friends with Elizabeth. Weird), I find that we are all not only related somehow… but we have very interesting common interests, common goals and common fears.

Jenee: “I’m a mom of two, a special-needs teen and a healthy toddler, and wife to an infinitely patient man. And I do mean INFINITELY patient. It’s like he’s not human.”

Elizabeth: “I’m part of the Ironheart Racing Team (http://ironheartracing.com/) ..[we] race to raise awareness for congenital heart disease and defects and to encourage healthy heart living. I race in honor of my niece who was born with a congenital heart defect.”

Robyn: “I am more blessed that almost anyone I know and am thankful every single day for that and know that its through the grace of God that I am where I am.”

Cheryl: “I’m 41 years old, mom of 2 boys, business owner, vegetarian, and now I guess triathlete.”

Joan: “My running goal is to complete a half marathon. My PR is 34:26 for the 5k, and I refer to myself as “Le Tortue Enflamme'” because I’m a very slow runner. (But I *always* finish…even if I end up at the medical tent, which happened after the Peachtree.)”

…I find that learning about a walk in someone else’s shoes is necessary, humbling and beautiful.

You don’t have to be a Swim Bike Mom. I have triathlon boys that like me too. (Well one triathlon boy).

Plus, I think it feels great to take a few minutes to say/type outloud – who you are – and then read about others. I find that I hold my breath sometimes reading about my new friends. I hope you do too.

Love you guys. Really. There are times during a run where I would have quit and cursed if it weren’t for the feedback lashing I’d receive later. I love you. Really, I do.

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2 Comments

Kathleen

Ok, I'm up for the challenge…1. Coffee – the first thing I think about when I wake up each morning. I can have more coffee now. (I'm having some now!)2. I am a triathlete. It only matters to me how fast I am, though i do aspire to be faster. I finished my last race last.3. I did my first TRI at the age of 50 and first 1/2 marathon.4. I plan to do 3 Sprint Tri's this year. And train for Olympic next year.5 I am the mother of 3, all grown and it's glorious not to have to think about feeding them, transporting them or being a good example. 🙂 I've earned my right to release them, since I survived them as teenagers.6. I race for bragging rights. I don't think people expect to hear that someone 50+ and 50+ lbs. overweight would be doing Triathlons. 7. And, I love the medals. When friends ask if I won the race, I tell them "YES and they gave me a medal!"8. I've influenced my 2 grown daughters to also start Triathlons and we are doing Trek together in September. How fun is that?9. I was married for 20 years and am now single. An interesting place to be at 50.10. I am a director for a non-profit trade association for the biotech industry and love what I do.11. I LOVE to travel! next up is Spain in March 2012. I'm now trying to figure how to fit my running shoes into my carry-on size suitcase, along with clothes for 2 weeks.12. I must read every night before sleeping or I won't sleep.13. Bread is like Crack to me… eating bagels has created a bagel around my middle.14. I like to nap and the best way is to put a movie on to doze to. I've slept through more DVDs then I care to admit.15. Dark chocolate is my favorite.16. Favorite drink is also slightly dirty vodka martinis with olives. Then I don't worry about the extra calories of the mixer!

Thanks Mere for your inspiring blogging. I truly don't know how you do it all, but you are inspiring!